Dianne Feinstein: “I think all four of us believe that if it is possible to have one bill, we would like to have one bill. We have taken on…”

“I think all four of us believe that if it is possible to have one bill, we would like to have one bill. We have taken on the technology aspect of our bill. But bottom line, the Senator from Arizona is correct, our Nation has essentially been laid back when it comes to matters of really scrupulously trying to set up a system that can provide a measure of protection for our national security. It has become very clear now, post September 11, that we must take steps to do so. Otherwise, we are derelict in our duty to protect American citizens. This bill does it. Because the student visa part of it has been somewhat controversial, this morning I was visited by the chancellor of the California State University system. This is the largest system in the United States, with about 380,000 students. He came in to indicate his support for our bill, for the acknowledgment that he knows that schools across America also have to assume more responsibility to see that there is a system where there is some regulation. Right now, a student can apply to a number of schools, get accepted to a number, and show up at none. And there is no reporting. We would change this.”